Yunnan Red Dragon Pearl Black Tea
Origin and History
A highly unique and enjoyable Dragon Pearl black tea first produced over 1,500 years ago in Yunan province, making it one of the oldest tea varieties. Yunnan also has the distinction of producing more tea than any other part of China and this fine brew brings you the flavors that can only be achieved with ancient Chinese tea-making techniques offering a complexity of aromas that would quench your senses with just a few pearls for a teapot. These are called “reds” but in China they like to call their black tea red and hence the name “Red Dragon Pearl Black Tea”.
shape and texture
This beautiful tea is hand rolled into pearls after being harvested in the spring. Each pearl is made from hand-selected black and gold leaves that are tightly wrapped and manually processed into its gem shape. Once soaked, each pearl expands into a pretty pile of long leaves and can take you to another world with just one sip. The appearance is that of a small ball of cloth that weavers use to make rugs, but that is where the similarity ends. What this tea gives is a definite aroma of chocolate and dried leaves. The care put into making this tea is due to the fact that the workers can only produce 1 kg of tea per hour.
Benefits
The beneficial health effects of tea have been consistently shown in animal and human studies. The most recognized properties of tea are its antioxidant activities, derived from its ability to remove reactive oxygen.
Some of the other benefits are:-
• Cataracts, which develop mainly as a result of protein precipitation in the lens of the eye, can be reduced by increasing the consumption of tea.
• Black tea contains fluoride, which strengthens tooth enamel and improves dental health.
• Among women 65 to 76 years of age, tea consumption was associated with higher bone mineral density measurements.
• In diet-induced obese mice, consumption of tea for 10 weeks prevented obesity and fatty liver.
• Ingestion of tea extract by healthy young men with each meal resulted in a significant increase in 24-h energy expenditure and a significant decrease in 24-h respiratory quotient.
• Several epidemiological studies have shown the beneficial effects of black tea on cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.
• The health benefits associated with black tea consumption have also been substantiated in animal studies on cancer chemoprevention, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other age-related disorders.
brewing
The best way to prepare the tea is achieved as follows:
o Heat water to approximately 95°C/200°F.
o Use 2 pearls per cup/small teapot.
o Prepare for 5 minutes.
After this, the infusion should turn into a bright yellow-green liqueur that provides a robust visual sensation.
Taste
Yunnan Red Dragon Pearl black tea produces a smooth spicy aroma with pleasant jasmine undertones with the malty and chocolate tones expected from Yunnan released more slowly and smoothly due to the pearl shape. It has a smooth texture and the mild, sweet flavor of malt and chocolate and has minimal astringency. With its perfect level of depth and liveliness, this tea will make you want to enjoy more than one cup.